It’s great to see excellence recognized! Arkansas Pro’s own Andrew DeMillo made a list in the Washington Post of the best state capitol reporters in the nation!
Andrew, a former board member of Arkansas Pro, works for The AP in their Little Rock office. (And his boss is Ark Pro board member Kelly Kissel!)
Read the story here.
SPJ is searching for judges in our region for the Mark of Excellence awards, which recognize outstanding student journalists. Please consider volunteering to judge a category or two! Here’s the full information:
If you’d like to sharpen some of your skills, you should look into the one-day SPJ JournCamp being held in Nashville on Jan. 25. You can get more information here: http://www.spj.org/journcamp.asp
Topics include photojournalism, social media beyond Facebook and Twitter, and more. Nashville’s an easy drive from here, and the fee is just $35 for members, so I’d encourage y’all to seriously consider this.
Free online business journalism workshop
This workshop is presented by Arizona State University.
The Arkansas Pro Chapter board of directors met on Monday, Nov. 11, at Mugs Cafe in North Little Rock. Attending were President Eric Francis, Vice President John Lyon, John Thompson, Sonny Rhodes, and Sonny Alborado. Here’s what we talked about.
1) Board Vacancy: As previously announced, Andrew DeMillo has departed the board after years of exceptional service. We now have at least two places to fill; the bylaws call for the board to be made up of four officers (president, VP, secretary, treasurer), plus seven non-officer board members. We have five non-officer members currently, and the board wants to find at least two new members, one of them a journalism student. If you would like to join the board, or to learn more about the board’s responsibilities, contact President Eric Francis by e-mail, Eric.Francis@yahoo.com, with “Arkansas Pro Board” in the subject line.
Francis also asked the sitting board members to each identify someone they think would make a good successor for their seat in the event they had to suddenly leave the board, so there would be a pool of potential members if the need arose. All board vacancies will be advertised to the membership in general before a selection is made. Any dues-paying SPJ member in Arkansas can serve on the board.
2) Programming Suggestions: There is a recognized need to offer more programming to our members, both for educational and recreational purposes. Secretary Sarah Morris had previously presented some suggestions, based on ideas discussed during the national convention earlier this year.
Scrabble on Speed – A Scrabble tournament with teams of two (randomly assigned), where each time has only 30 seconds to select and play a word and the game is limited to 5 minutes. Winning team gets a prize and covers themselves in glory. This will be held at a bar or restaurant where players can have some drinks and visit as they get eliminated.
Monthly Constitutional – Since quite a few journos seem to walk, jog, or run for exercise, Morris proposed getting together once a month for a group outing. We’ll meet at a starting point with plenty of parking, a good trail, and proximity to coffee and breakfast after we’re done.
Mock Trial Coverage – Stage a trial, complete with plaintiff, defendant, witnesses, lawyers, and a judge. Journalists watch the trial, then after the verdict have a limited amount of time to get interviews and produce a story. Veteran editors will read and critique the stories.
Board member Sonny Alborado also suggested a libel training program in conjunction with the Arkansas Press Association. We would bring in experts in the field of libel and educate journalists on the law, the most common causes of libel suits, and how to avoid them.
The board found favor with all of these ideas and will be making plans for implementing some of them in the near future.
3) Joint Training with the Legal Profession: Francis reported on a meeting he had with Stephanie Harris, communications counsel for the Arkansas Supreme Court. Harris had proposed organizing a joint training event with members of the journalism and legal communities to cover areas of interest to both. For example, the Freedom of Information Act and Administrative Order 19 – the latter of which is a Supreme Court rule that dictates what information can and cannot be disclosed and which supersedes the FOIA in some cases. Harris felt like the two groups, which so often work in an adversarial relationship, would benefit from a better understanding of how each other work and she hoped this would lead to a better working relationship between the legal community and the media. She also proposed having a purely social event where journalists and lawyers could get together and discuss issues in an environment that was “off the record.”
The board liked the idea of the joint educational venture, but some concerns were voiced in terms of holding an “off the record” social event. Alborado worried about a blanket promise not to say anything because it could compromise a lot of people and also ran counter to the idea of transparency. Vice President Lyon suggested that the participating journalists could simply agree not to interview anyone or ask about ongoing cases, a suggestion that met with general approval from other board members. John Thompson suggested that under such conditions, it might encourage judges and lawyers to bring up specific instances where they felt poor journalism had been done, allowing both groups to work out differences. The board directed Francis to continue discussing the ideas with Harris.
4) Francis reported that the SPJ Ethics Committee has asked pro chapters to review the Code of Ethics and get back with comments and suggestions – what works or doesn’t; what’s missing; what needs to be changed or removed – by December. He will send any comments to the Ethics Committee chair.
5) Contest Changes: The board discussed changes to the annual journalism contest that had been proposed previously by Francis. Currently, the contest covers a calendar year, and in the spring entries are received, judges are located, entires are distributed, results are tabulated, and the awards banquet is held. However, this has proven unwieldy in recent years, in part because almost every SPJ chapter (and a number of other journalism organizations) hold their contests on the same calendar, meaning everyone else is also looking for judges and trying to meet deadlines; in addition, it conflicts with the Arkansas General Assembly session and, in alternating years, primary election season, which makes it difficult for some board members to assist with the contest. Francis suggested shifting the eligibility period for the contest to the fiscal year, from July 1 to June 30; then entries would be collected in mid-summer, judging would happen in late summer, and the banquet held late summer or early fall. The idea met with general approval of the board, with the observation that if it didn’t work out the contest could be changed back. The board voted unanimously to make the change.
Another issue discussed was the need for an online system for submitting entries, making payments, and judging. Francis said he was determined to have a system in place well before it was time to judge the 2014 contest. The board agreed to the necessity and Francis said he would report back on options after visiting with the SPJ’s national contest advisor, Michael Koretzky.
Sonny Rhodes pointed out that the Arkansas Pro Chapter’s annual college scholarships had traditionally been presented during the awards banquet in the spring for students to use the following fall. The board agreed that awards could still be made in the spring and that recognition could be given at a fall banquet, or at a separate event in the spring.
6) Other Business: Thompson, reflecting on the suggestion that we hold training for journalists to learn about the courts and libel, noted that there are other areas where he feels like such training is needed, such as coverage of business and finance. He said he’d seen some articles where the subject matter appeared to be “thinly understood” by those doing the reporting, and suggested that the chapter look into setting up a training session with the UALR School of Business. The board concurred and the issue will be further looked into and a report made at a later meeting. He also suggested the board see if the Central Arkansas Library System had a video of the presentation by Harvard professor John Patterson on “Knowledge-Based Journalism,” made at this year’s Arkansas Literary Festival, and make it available to the membership. Francis said he’d check with some librarians he knows to see if it was available.
Alborado noted that at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, the SPJ will hold an online chat about the proposal to change the name of the organization from the Society of Professional Journalists to the Society for Professional Journalism, an item raised at the national conference earlier this year and currently under study. Anyone interested in listening to, or taking part in, the discussion can log onto the chat from SPJ.org; look for the blog page about the name change proposal and the link will be at the top. All SPJ members will also receive a survey in the future about the proposed name change.
There being no further business, the board adjourned.
Former Ark Pro president back on the radio
Kelly MacNeil, a former SPJ Arkansas Pro Chapter president and news director at public radio station KUAR-FM 89.1 in Little Rock, has returned to the airwaves for St. Louis Public Radio. Have a listen to her new story about how Anheuser-Busch is responding to the craft beer boom.
A hearty thank you to Andrew DeMillo, who last week submitted his resignation as a member of the SPJ Arkansas Pro Chapter board after years of service. Andrew, a reporter with AP’s Little Rock office, has been an energetic and reliable board member and he will be missed. On behalf of the board, I extend our gratitude to Andrew and best wishes to him as he continues to keep tabs on Arkansas government for the AP’s many readers.
This, of course, means we have an opening on the board of directors. If you are interested in being considered for the position, or would just like to know more about what board service entails, please do not hesitate to contact me at Eric.Francis@yahoo.com.
SPJ Executive Director Joe Skeel strongly urges chapters to post their bylaws online. Here are the most recent bylaws form the Arkasnas Pro Chapter.
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Bylaws
Arkansas Pro Chapter
The Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi
P.O. Box 1325
Little Rock, Ark. 72203
The Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, was founded at DePaul University, Greencastle, Indiana, on April 17, 1909, as an honorary journalistic fraternity. Its growth was along professional lines, and by action of the National Convention at Columbia, Missouri, in 1916, it was established as a professional journalistic organization. It is the oldest organization of its kind.
The Arkansas Pro Chapter of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, was formally installed at Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 15, 1961, as the Little Rock Chapter. It became the Arkansas Chapter, upon vote of the members and approval of the National Board of Directors in July 1976.
The Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, includes in its membership employers and employees, thus providing a common meeting ground. It has been the constant endeavor of the organization to improve the relationship between them, without committing the Society to the programs or policies of either.
PREAMBLE
To associate journalists of talent, truth and energy into a more intimately organized unit
of good fellowship, and to assist the members in acquiring the noblest principles of journalism and to cooperate with them in this field, and to advance the standards of journalism by fostering a higher ethical code, thus increasing its value as a democratic institution; to encourage diversity among journalists; to create opportunities for professional development; and to speak out on issues concerning freedoms of press and speech and the free flow of information, we do hereby establish and ordain these Bylaws of the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi.
ARTICLE ONE: NAME AND SCOPE
Section One: The name of this organization shall be: Arkansas Pro Chapter of the
Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi.
Section Two: The term “journalism” is defined: The direction of the editorial policy
of, the editing of, the preparation of news and editorial content of news media products, and the teaching or study of journalism so defined.
ARTICLE TWO: MOTTO AND WATCHWORD
Section One: The motto of this chapter shall be that of the Society’s: They Serve Best
Who Serve the Truth.
Section Two: The watchwords of this chapter shall be that of the Society’s: Talent, Truth,
Energy.
ARTICLE THREE: BADGE
Section One: The badge of the chapter shall be the same as that prescribed for the Society.
ARTICLE FOUR: MEMBERSHIP
Section One: All members of the Society of Professional Journalists in good standing with the National Society shall be eligible for membership in the Arkansas Pro Chapter.
Section Two: Nominees for membership shall be approved either by a majority of the chapter’s members present and voting, or by a majority vote of the chapter’s board of directors.
Section Three: Members must pay current chapter and national dues in order to be eligible to hold membership, to vote, to hold office or to serve as a convention delegate.
Section Four: The chapter may initiate candidates to membership providing the candidate meets all the requirements of the Bylaws of the chapter and the Society and other specific requirements established by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE FIVE: CHAPTER ORGANIZATION
Section One: The chapter shall have as officers a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. These officers shall be elected annually and shall take office immediately.
In addition, the Chapter shall appoint a Quill correspondent whose duty it shall be to report local activities to the Quill.
Section Two: The President shall serve as the chief executive officer and chair the board of directors, appoint members to chair all standing committees and establish other committees as necessary with the advice and consent of the board.
Section Three: The Vice President shall fulfill the President’s duties in the case of the President’s temporary absence, in addition to any other duties imposed by the bylaws or by the decision of the board. In the event of death, resignation or removal of the President, the Vice President shall assume the presidency and a new vice president shall be elected by the board of directors.
Section Four: The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all chapter and board of directors meetings, supervise production of a regular newsletter, be formal custodian of all chapter records and maintain, in conjunction with the Treasurer, membership records in good order.
Section Five: The Treasurer shall be responsible for all chapter funds, collecting receipts and making disbursements at the direction of the Board. In conjunction with the chapter Secretary, the treasurer shall serve dues notices and collect dues and other assessments.
Section Six: The Board of Directors may at any time consolidate, separate or redefine the offices of secretary and treasurer. If the offices are consolidated, the board shall have one more appointive director.
Section Seven: The Chapter shall have a standing committee on Advancement of Freedom of Information that shall carry out the chapter’s mission of promoting freedom of speech and press and the free flow of information. The President is also authorized to appoint and assign duties to special committees which the President deems necessary to study, investigate or otherwise function in fields concerned with the Society, journalists or journalism.
Section Eight: The chapter shall submit an annual report to National Headquarters in which it reviews its year’s activities and accomplishments. The report shall be submitted prior to the National Convention, and shall be made available to any chapter member upon request.
Section Nine: The financial records of the chapter and minutes of all meetings shall be open for inspection to members in good standing. Requests for inspection shall be made to the custodian(s) of such records and shall be made available, if practical, at the next chapter or board meeting.
ARTICLE SIX: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section One: The Board of Directors shall be composed of the President, the Vice
President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and seven directors elected by the chapter annually. The immediate past president may serve as either a non-voting member or may run for another voting position on the board after his or her term expires.
Section Two: Any vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be filled by vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors. The member of the board so elected shall serve until the next annual election.
Section Three: The board shall meet regularly throughout the year to transact business for the chapter. The board can take binding action by e-mail or conference call if circumstances _ in the board’s opinion _ require it.
Section Four: The board of directors shall be responsible for these basic functions: (1) Membership and attendance; (2) Chapter meetings and events; (3) Professional Programs; (4) Planning; (5) Convention representatives; and (6) Cooperation with National Headquarters and other SPJ chapters.
ARTICLE SEVEN: ELECTIONS
Section One: Officers and directors shall be elected by majority vote of the qualified members in attendance at a chapter meeting before July 1. They shall take office July 1 and serve one-year terms or until their successors are elected and installed.
Section Two: A nominating committee, consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall nominate candidates for the Board of Directors at least 10 days before an election, in writing, to the membership.
Section Three: Candidates shall be nominated on the floor of a chapter meeting, with the nominating committee’s nominations for officers announced first. The floor shall then be opened for other nominations for officers, followed by election of officers.
Section Four: If an officer election is contested, or if there are more nominees for director than board seats available, that election shall be held by secret ballot. The election shall be supervised by the Secretary or, if the Secretary is a candidate for a contested office, by a non-candidate appointed by the presiding officer. Uncontested elections shall be by voice vote.
ARTICLE EIGHT: FINANCES
Section One: National membership fees payable at the time of or prior to initiation shall
be that amount determined by the national organization. This fee shall include national membership in good standing and a subscription to The Quill for a term as prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Section Two: The initiate’s name shall be entered upon the rolls of the Society until such payment has been sent to and received by the Executive Officer of the Society and a person not so recorded is not a member of the Society.
Section Three: Chapter dues shall be determined by the membership upon recommendation of the Board of Directors and payable by June 30 of each year. The board has the authority, by a majority vote, to waive or reduce chapter dues for any member.
ARTICLE NINE: AMENDMENT AND PROCEDURE
Section One: These Bylaws may be amended and become effective immediately, unless
otherwise specificed, in the following manner:
–By a majority of votes cast in Chapter session, providing that the
proposal to amend and the exact wording of the amendment shall have been made available to all chapter members not less than 30 days prior to the vote. Or:
–By a majority of votes cast in Chapter session, providing that the proposed amendment was recommended by the President and approved by a majority of the Board and shall have been made available to the Board of Directors not less than 7 days prior to the vote.
Section Two: The Board of Directors shall have the authority to make minor edits or technical corrections to the Bylaws at any time. Members shall be notified
of any edits or changes to the Bylaws approved by the Board within 30 days of the change. Notice by e-mail or other electronic means shall be sufficient.
Section Three: “Roberts Rules of Order” shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these Bylaws.
ARTICLE TEN: MEETINGS
Section One: The Board shall endeavor to hold monthly chapter meetings and
events, except during times when experience has shown that attendance will be much lower than usual.
Section Two: The Board shall call chapter meetings with written notice to members, such as a newsletter, e-mail or Web site, at least five days before such meeting. Action taken at any chapter meeting called with less notice shall be of no force and effect.
Section Three: All persons invited to speak at chapter meetings and events shall be informed in advance that their remarks to those assembled shall be on the record. Should a speaker ask to speak off the record, the presiding officer shall again serve notice that all remarks are on the record.
Section Four: This being a society of journalists, no chapter meeting may be closed to the public except for reasons of safety. The chapter may impose a reasonable fee for any meeting or event, including meal, drink and service charges. Members making a reservation for such meeting shall be obligated to pay the fee unless payment is waived by the board of directors.
The Arkansas Pro Chapter board of directors is pleased to welcome David Goins, a reporter for Fox 16 in Little Rock, as its newest member. He joined the board at the June meeting, where the sitting board officers were also re-elected: Eric Francis as president, John Lyon as vice president, Sarah Morris as secretary, and Kelly Kissel as treasurer.
Greetings!
The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites all Arkansas journalists to honor their colleagues at the awards banquet for our annual journalism contest. Our speaker will be national SPJ President Sonny Alborado.
The banquet will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 13, at Whole Hog Cafe, 2516 Cantrell Rd. in Little Rock. Tickets are $20 and include a barbecue supper, tea, and soft drinks; there will also be a cash bar.
Please make your reservations now by e-mailing John Thompson at aufheid@aol.com, or calling 374-9557 and leaving a call-back number. You can send checks made out to Arkansas Pro Chapter SPJ to John Thompson, P.O. Box 299, Little Rock, AR 72203-0299, or pay with cash or check at the door. Please make your reservations as soon as possible so we can give an accurate head count to Whole Hog.
We look forward to seeing you on Monday!
Society of Professional Journalists | Arkansas Pro Chapter 